The World's Best Book Summaries
Do you tend to give a preference to the information you hear first? Do you give more weight to the ideas of people you like? Gathering information is the first step in the critical thinking process. However, you should exercise caution. Some information has baggage—biases that distort reality. Keep reading to learn about four common types of biases that can get in the way of the truth.
Why should a story outline take more time than the other steps in the writing process? Should you work forward or backward? In his book Story, Robert McKee details what he believes to be the ideal writing process: Begin with an outline, flesh it out into a treatment, then polish it into a final script. McKee frames this as a process for screenwriters, but you could apply it to stories in any medium. Let’s look at McKee’s advice for how to write a story outline.
Do embargoes lead to smuggling? Does trade benefit both countries? Is a trade deficit a bad thing? Adam Smith disagrees with restricting international trade for three reasons. He argues that it incentivizes smuggling, redirects domestic capital towards inefficient industries, and prevents countries from entering into mutually beneficial trade relationships. Continue reading for an overview of Adam Smith’s theory of international trade.
How was Victor Verster Prison better than the first two prisons where Mandela was held? When and why was he released? Nelson Mandela spent a total of 27 years in three prisons, enduring harsh conditions but never giving up the fight for racial equality and freedom. In his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, Mandela writes about the last of those prisons: Victor Verster. Continue reading to learn about Mandela’s time at Victor Verster Prison and his eventual release.
Do both sides of an argument warrant the same amount of consideration? What’s the difference between correlation and causation? You’ve probably experienced this: You hear something that sounds great. But, when you think it through, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. A fallacy could be to blame. The more you know about fallacies, the better you’ll be able to evaluate information and arguments. Continue reading for a brief overview of three different types of fallacies.
When you’re writing a script, how do you come up with compelling scenes? Is there a formula to follow? In Story, Robert McKee breaks down how stories function and uses this theory to explain how you can write a gripping story—filled with compelling scenes. The book is intended for screenwriters, but its principles apply to any kind of storytelling. Continue reading to learn how to write a scene in a script, and discover why this method is so impactful.
What happens when the government meddles with the economy? What do regulated markets produce (or fail to produce)? The development of a nation’s wealth depends on competitive markets in which participants are free to act in their own self-interest. In The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith identifies government policies that interfere with this process and slow down economic growth. We’ll explore two regulated market policies that Smith critiques: restricting international trade and subsidizing industries.
Do you know when an article you’re reading is sponsored by a biased advertiser? What’s the reputation of the sources you rely on? The authors of Critical Thinking, Logic & Problem Solving provide a step-by-step method for improving your ability to think critically and solve problems. They offer tips for conducting and thinking about research and information, including determining whether a source is reliable. Read more to learn how to evaluate sources for credibility.
How long was Nelson Mandela in prison? How does he recall the experience? Why did he refuse to be released in 1985? Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life behind bars in 1964. He spent 27 years in three prisons. In his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, Mandela describes what life was like and shows how prison bars couldn’t stop him in his fight against apartheid. Read more to learn about Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment and ultimate release.
What’s the purpose of a treatment? What’s the best way to write one? McKee details what he believes to be the ideal writing process: Begin with an outline, flesh it out into a treatment, then polish it into a final script. McKee frames this as a process for screenwriters, but you could apply it to stories in any medium. Keep reading to explore the second step in McKee’s process and learn his advice for how to write a treatment.